NEW ZEALAND WAR CONTINGENT ASSOCIATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17324, 25 May 1918, Page 8

NEW ZEALAND WAR CONTINGENT ASSOCIATION.

INCREASED COST OF ADMINISTRATION. VALUABLE AND USEFUL WORK. (Fbom Oob Own Cokbbspokdbht.) LONDON, March 22. At yesterday's meeting of the exeoutivo of the New Zcalaud War Contingent Association detailed accounts of receipts and expenditure were submitted, and Mr I. W. Raymond, in a brief sjieech, referred to the work of the association in various connections. Mr Raymond mentioned that the oost of administration liad very substantially increased as compared with preceding years, but that wis only to be expected when it was realised that tho original staff of voluntary workers could not givo their services continuously free over such a lengthy period. Few organisations in this country had maintained a higher percentage of voluntary help than hod the New Zealand War Contingent Association, but tho difficulty of obtaining clerical assistance had been acutely felt, as the competition of Government departments and industrial concerns for accountants and typists had been exceedingly keen. The paid staff was doing exceedingly efficient work. A considerable sum had been expended in the erection of workshops for tho limbless, and it was very satisfactory to know that a large number of those who had lost the uso of cither an arm or a leg had been able to qualify to tako up some new sphere in life on their return to the dominion. In the report of the Hospital Comforts Committee it was mentioned "that the number of men who wished to learn needlework and raffia work at Oatlands was so groat that an honorary work superintendent (Mrs Wood) had been appointed to this hospital, and she had two assistants, for a long time Mrs Wood had been working at this hospital teaching the men, but so far had not been doing it officially for the association Mr Raymond mentioned- that the work of the association had been considerably augmented during the last few months in consequence of tho establishment of Red Cross depots at the various New Zealand military hospitals. This entailed the appointment of local representatives and also the purchasing of considerable quantities of comforts, so that the stocks under the various schedules agreed upon should always be at hand. During the year £30,722 had been received from the New Zealand Red Cross, making with the balance in hand at the beginning of the year (£2142) a total of £32.864. Of this £21,965 was transferred to tho London Committee, New Zealand Red Cross. The expenditure by the association on behalf of the Red Cross Society during tho year ended September 30. 1917, amounted to £12,711. From patriotic organisations in New Zealand £14,474 had been received, and £7900 from t;he Government. It was the Red Cross Fund and the Order of St. John of Jerusalem that provided the spociai entertainments which took place on Christmas Day at various hospitals. Occasionally, said Mr Raymond, one heard tho statement that more should be done for men on leave from France and from the various camps in the United Kingdom. Accompanied by Brigadier-general Richardson, he had visited the New Zealand Soldiers' Club in Russell square, and had talked to the men, asking if thev had any suggestions to make on this head, but ail unanimously replied that they were more than satisfied with tho treatment they were receiving. During the year 40,000 men had passed through the hands of the organisation. There were now on the list about 130 regular hospital visitors, and the staff at canteens and clubs numbered 70. The commandants in charge of the various clubs and recreation rooms had all rendered valuable help, and the men could not return from New Zealand without a feeling that, while they were in hospital and later, that all workers had done their best to minister to their comfort. The clubs continued to be a great success. The men were supplied with reading, writing, and billiard rooms, and with food of the best quality at prices 30 per cent, less than they were charged elsewhere. Without exception, the men had been very grateful for the attention bestowed upon_ them. Early in 1917 the association made arrangements to get in touch with patients in hospital in France. Letters were written to those men, asking what the association could do for them, and the opportunity was taken of sending shaving and toilet requisites and other little comforts. General Richardson has approved the suggestion that a club should be in connection with the N.Z.F.A. Reserve Depot at Ewshott, and inquiries are now being made for suitable premises.